Fantasy Literature for Children and Young Adults

Pamela S. Gates; Susan B. Steffel and Francis J. Molson

Fantasy conjures up images of witches, fairies, dark woods, magic wands and spells, time travel, ghosts, and dragons. Each of us defines fantasy in a personal way, based on our life stories, experiences, hopes, dreams, and fears. Fantasy Literature for Children and Young Adults, helps teachers and students of literature to develop their own understandings of this broad genre in order to evaluate and promote the joy of fantasy in their classrooms.

An excellent teaching tool, the discussions are organized around three categories of fantasy literature, including fairy/folktale; mixed fantasy (which includes journey, transformation, talking animal, and magic); and heroic-ethical; and they are supported by well-chosen examples of representative authors, critics, and theorists.

With the assumption that the reader has no special knowledge of fantasy literature but has some previous exposure to the study of literature for children and young adults, this book focuses on reviewing texts that illustrate particular types of fantasy literature. The authors have an extensive knowledge of both classic and contemporary children's and YA titles, and they offer many insightful observations and details that make a book a particularly good classroom choice.

Literature allows us to discuss controversial issues without making judgments; it allows us the opportunity to "experience" another time and space by providing a new lens through which to view; and it offers us a multitude of ways to come to appreciate and embrace the world of fantasy. Fantasy Literature for Children and Young Adults will help teachers and other readers to deepen their knowledge, appreciation, and pedagogical understandings of fantasy literature.
« lessmore »

Pamela S. Gates is professor of English at Central Michigan University and is currently serving as associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social & Behavioral Sciences. Susan B. Steffel is professor of English at Central Michigan University and a veteran teacher with thirty years of teaching experience. Francis L. Molson is professor emeritus of English, having retired from Central Michigan University after twenty-five years of teaching, the last ten serving as chair of the department. The authors have a combined 75 years of classroom teaching experience in the field of preparing teachers for elementary and secondary classroom settings.

Functions as an elementary introduction to fantasy. Good resources are provided for further study.— VOYA

Interestinggggg— Booklist, 12/1/2003

...the authors' passion for their subject comes through clearly; their arguments...are convincing, and their descriptions of its many jewels will have readers browsing libraries and bookstores for books by Alan Garner, Ursula Le Guin, Nesbit, and others.— School Library Journal

The authors obviously know their subject, and they're able to lay it out for readers by giving plenty of examples of the good stuff. Which in turn makes it good stuff all by itself....I was pleasantly surprised at just how much information they managed to fit in such a small book. They do a great job of discussing fairy tales...It's a nice overview, with the authors detailing most points thoroughly.— Green Man Review

Fantasy Literature for Children and Young Adults offers a clear and concise overview of an incredibly complex and diverse genre that is often difficult to understand. The book will be an excellent teaching tool. The way the authors have organized their discussions around the various categories of fantasy literature is outstanding. Their discussions are clear, easy to follow and always supported with many well-chosen examples of representative authors, critics, and theorists.— Edward T. Sullivan, author of Reaching Reluctant Young Adult Readers

Interesting— Booklist, 12/1/2003

Fantasy Literature for Children and Young Adults

Hardback

Summary

Summary

Fantasy conjures up images of witches, fairies, dark woods, magic wands and spells, time travel, ghosts, and dragons. Each of us defines fantasy in a personal way, based on our life stories, experiences, hopes, dreams, and fears. Fantasy Literature for Children and Young Adults, helps teachers and students of literature to develop their own understandings of this broad genre in order to evaluate and promote the joy of fantasy in their classrooms.

An excellent teaching tool, the discussions are organized around three categories of fantasy literature, including fairy/folktale; mixed fantasy (which includes journey, transformation, talking animal, and magic); and heroic-ethical; and they are supported by well-chosen examples of representative authors, critics, and theorists.

With the assumption that the reader has no special knowledge of fantasy literature but has some previous exposure to the study of literature for children and young adults, this book focuses on reviewing texts that illustrate particular types of fantasy literature. The authors have an extensive knowledge of both classic and contemporary children's and YA titles, and they offer many insightful observations and details that make a book a particularly good classroom choice.

Literature allows us to discuss controversial issues without making judgments; it allows us the opportunity to "experience" another time and space by providing a new lens through which to view; and it offers us a multitude of ways to come to appreciate and embrace the world of fantasy. Fantasy Literature for Children and Young Adults will help teachers and other readers to deepen their knowledge, appreciation, and pedagogical understandings of fantasy literature.

Pamela S. Gates is professor of English at Central Michigan University and is currently serving as associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social & Behavioral Sciences. Susan B. Steffel is professor of English at Central Michigan University and a veteran teacher with thirty years of teaching experience. Francis L. Molson is professor emeritus of English, having retired from Central Michigan University after twenty-five years of teaching, the last ten serving as chair of the department. The authors have a combined 75 years of classroom teaching experience in the field of preparing teachers for elementary and secondary classroom settings.

Functions as an elementary introduction to fantasy. Good resources are provided for further study.— VOYA

Interestinggggg— Booklist, 12/1/2003

...the authors' passion for their subject comes through clearly; their arguments...are convincing, and their descriptions of its many jewels will have readers browsing libraries and bookstores for books by Alan Garner, Ursula Le Guin, Nesbit, and others.— School Library Journal

The authors obviously know their subject, and they're able to lay it out for readers by giving plenty of examples of the good stuff. Which in turn makes it good stuff all by itself....I was pleasantly surprised at just how much information they managed to fit in such a small book. They do a great job of discussing fairy tales...It's a nice overview, with the authors detailing most points thoroughly.— Green Man Review

Fantasy Literature for Children and Young Adults offers a clear and concise overview of an incredibly complex and diverse genre that is often difficult to understand. The book will be an excellent teaching tool. The way the authors have organized their discussions around the various categories of fantasy literature is outstanding. Their discussions are clear, easy to follow and always supported with many well-chosen examples of representative authors, critics, and theorists.— Edward T. Sullivan, author of Reaching Reluctant Young Adult Readers